On November 19, 2016 the meeting of Phocaeans was carried out with great success in Palaia Phocaea of Attica organized by the Community of Palaia Phocaea and Panhellenic Phocaeans Council of Communities and Clubs.
Now, we Phocaeans making our first steps towards getting to know each other, communicating and unify in national level. People's participation was more than expected.
It's the first time since 1922 so many Phocaeans (second, third & forth generation refugees) from Minor Asia (some members of the same family, between them unknown until know) from different Greek cities. From Crete : Rethymnon. From West Greece : Mesolongi. From Attica regions : Piraeus, Drapetsona, Keratsini, Chaidari, Athens etc. From North Greece : Nea Phokea Chalkidikis, Thessaloniki (Ioniki Estia). Phocaeans who live on abroad (USA, Australia) sented their best greetings. In addition the attendance of many Minor Asians organizations. Konstantinoupo- litans was a great honor for us.
The glorius ancient history of Phocaea, homeland of our heart, in Minor Asia, is a strong component of the Greek History. Unfortunateley it remains unkown not only for greek society but also for the Phocaeans especially the youth. The average of the people are unware of the dramatic facts as the slaughter in Phocaea and nearby. In 1914 and 1922 as parts of the genocide committee by nationalists Turks.The Phocaeans are also unware about the political and historical facts that defined our current situation and causes of them.
In Greece the Refugees faced as foreigners in general, that came to unsettle the political, financial and social balance. They were a burden for the greek society that had to be without any future or even be elliminated omitting their past. For at least 80 years refugees were not alloued to be refered as part of the common national history. Under these sircumstances Phocaeans were not an exception.
Its obvious that we were never again in the past so disorganized, at geografic and organisational level. Realising this situation, we, the second and third genaration of Phocaeans were led to establish the Panhellenic Phocaeans Council of Communities and Clubs. From the very beginning this was of great acceptance by our compatriots. Last years takes initiaves so as to found PAMPHOKAIKH ENOSI (UNION), in order to bring us together. This idea is more and more acceptable between our compatriots depicted in B' Panhellenic meeting.
The establishment of the 12 of June as a special memorial day is a prerequisite for the compatriots' reunification and commemofation of our historic identity.
We made an attempt on 12 June 2016 in Nea Phocea of Chalkidiki and Palaia Phocea of Attica with great success, taking info consideration our refugee ancestors' strong desire right after 1922. They had chosen this day – of the first and determinant complete persecution from Ionia – during the massacres in Phokaea on 12 June 1914 (Known as “ BLACK DAYNIGHT”). At he end of the succesfull meeting Minor Asians and Phoceans that stood out for their work with Minor Asian themes, were awarded and were shaved songs, dances from Minor Asia making an appointment for next years's C' (Third) Phocaeans meeting...
John Kioulekas
Nasos Papoutsis
Pavlos Pantzikis
Paraskevas Sirianoglou
PANHELLENIC PHOCEANS COUNCIL COMMUNITES & CLUBS
